Commission offers to help the Dutch revive EU-Ukraine pact

The Dutch government announced that it would seek to move forward following the referendum in which a majority of voters rejected the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement, by adding a declaration interpreting the treaty. The Commission said it was ready to help.

On 6 April, Dutch voters rejected a European pact with Ukraine in a referendum seen as a barometer of anti-EU feeling, dealing an embarrassing blow to the government in charge of the rotating EU presidency, sending shockwaves throughout the Union.

Dutch voters on Wednesday (6 April) rejected a European pact with Ukraine in a referendum seen as a barometer of anti-EU feeling, dealing an embarrassing blow to the government in charge of the rotating EU presidency, sending shockwaves throughout the Union.

At the 20-21 October EU summit, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte obtained little support for his proposals for a way forward following the referendum. An internal deadline required the Dutch authorities to make a proposal by 1 November at the latest.

At the EU summit overnight (20-21 October) Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte obtained little support for his proposals for a way forward following the referendum in which his compatriots rejected the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement.

In an audition in parliament on 1 November, Rutte and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bert Koenders say they are looking to achieve “a legally-binding solution, approved by European leaders”. A declaration by the Netherlands stating how it interprets the EU’s treaty with Ukraine would offer a way out of the current impasse, they made clear.

The declaration would state that that the Ukraine association treaty is not a stepping stone to the country joining the EU and that Ukrainian nationals do not have access to the European labour market. The declaration should also make it clear that there will be no military alliance with Ukraine and no financial support. Efforts must also be made by to combat corruption in Ukraine, the text would say.

Dramatic appeal

On Friday (28 October), Rutte made a dramatic appeal to opposition parties for their support. If the Netherlands fails to ratify the treaty, it could have serious implications for the stability of Europe, the prime minister said.

The Dutch press reported that over the past few days, the cabinet had intensive discussions with opposition parties in an effort to win their backing for the government’s position, and to win majority support in the senate for the declaration.

“Although no formal commitments have been made, the cabinet expects that such a solution can be realised,” the prime minister told MPs. Reportedly, two opposition parties, the D66 liberal party, and the Christian Democrats, have said they will support the government. The cabinet needs the support of the opposition, because the coalition is in the minority in one of the Parliament’s chambers.

Asked today (3 November) if such a declaration could be added to the association agreement, Commission chief spokesperson Margaritis Schinas said that the EU executive took “good note of the announcement” by the Dutch PM. He added that the Commission appreciates the effort of the Dutch side to find a solution to ratify the agreement.

All members of the EU except the Netherlands have ratified the association agreement, he said.

“Ratification by all 28 members remains our goal”, Schinas stated, adding that the agreement was very important for the EU, for Ukraine, and “beyond”.

“President Juncker is ready to work with Prime Minister Rutte and the Dutch political parties on solutions in view of the December European Council,” he added. EU leaders will hold their last summit for the year on 15-16 December.

A week ago, adding a legally binding declaration to respond to the concerns of Wallonia was the solution to unblock the CETA agreement with Canada.

Calling the referendum a “barometer of anti-EU feeling” is a purposely broad and vague statement made by outside observers but not by the Dutch themselves. The referendum was very specific and not may people were confused about what it was about. They were asked to approve or not an association agreement that was believed to be a prelude to Ukrainian EU membership. The vote was not about the EU or about feelings towards the EU but on the policies of expansion esp. into the territory of the old USSR, and about including more bankrupt countries with such high levels of corruption into the EU. Someone has got to show some common sense.

As I understand the Ukraine association is not a prelude to eventual EU membership , even if Kiev sees it as such . it is a simple free trade agreement , giving Ukraine access to the EU market . I think the Dutch people are right to block it ; Ukraine is not a country as yet fit to have the EU door opened to it . The exclusions that Mr Rutte makes are correct and sensible . In terms of trade , what has Ukraine got to offer other than agricultural produce that the EU doesn’t want . The industries in the east have largely been destroyed ; were Russian sponsored , coordinated with Russian industry across the border and for an exclusively Russian market . The EU policy towards Ukraine stems from the US endeavour to annex Ukraine to the west , install NATO on its Russian border and the US fleet berthed at Sebastopol in place of the Russian fleet . The EU has been a small time player in lockstep with Washington foreign policy . I believe Ukraine has made a bad mistake separating itself from Russia . The EU is extremely naive and further I cannot see how the Ukraine association affects EU stability .